Why do whales migrate?

Whales migrate to find food and suitable breeding grounds. During the warmer months, many species travel to nutrient-rich polar waters to feed on krill, plankton, and small fish. As winter approaches, they migrate to warmer, tropical waters to mate and give birth. This behaviour ensures that calves are born in a safer environment with fewer predators and warmer temperatures. For example, humpback whales undertake long migrations, sometimes covering over 8,000 kilometres (5,000 miles) between feeding and breeding areas. These journeys are among the longest of any mammal.